Buford Scott, an investment banker from Richmond and a city activist, said the legislature has bent to the will of the pro-gun lobby instead of listening to voters who want sensible restrictions.

"Let's stop the gun lobby from hijacking our democratic process," he said. "It is time for more of our elected representatives to vote the will of the people."

Kailey Leinz, an 11-year-old from Burke, said children need to feel protected.

"We need to close this dangerous loophole for many reasons, and also so kids like me won't feel scared, scared that someone can just come into our school and start shooting," she said.

But gun-rights activists who also packed the press conference -- many wearing buttons that read "Guns Save Lives" -- said the bill wasn't needed and would impose an undue burden on licensed dealers.

Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League said federal statistics show that less than 1 percent of guns sold at gun shows are actually linked to crime. Gun shows also have a heavy police presence to deter criminals from showing up.

"It's a very tight environment," he said.

In some cases, the private "dealer" is simply a citizen who wants to sell a few firearms from a personal collection.

If the Devolites Davis bill becomes law, that person would have to find a licensed dealer at the show to run the background check for them. And that dealer would have to keep a record of the transaction.

Bruce Jackson, a board member of defense league, called the bill "a solution in search of a problem."

The Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton has hosted gun shows in the past, and one is scheduled this month.

However, the city has a policy of asking the sponsor to subject all sales to background checks.

Southeastern Guns and Knives, which has sponsored past shows in Hampton and will sponsor the one later this month, has said that only licensed dealers may sell firearms at its Hampton shows.

The Senate Courts of Justice Committee will consider the controversial measure. In past years, the vote has been sharply split. But when the bill has cleared committee, it has failed in the full Senate.